Group 6: Thirlmere Roosters name Jason Ferris as head coach

A rugby league journeyman who has taken his NRL experience to bush footy clubs across NSW and Queensland has won the head coach role at the Thirlmere Roosters. Find out his plans for the 2022 season.

Thirlmere Roosters, one of Group 6’s most dominant clubs in recent times, have continued the theme of recruiting coaches with NRL experience.

Jason Ferris, a former top-grade halfback who played more than 120 matches for the Canberra Raiders, Cronulla Sharks and Manly-Warringah between 1996 and 2003, will guide Thirlmere in 2022 after emerging as the top candidate in a recruitment process.

He will replace Jake Mullaney who has left the role after three seasons to spend more time with family.

The 46-year-old, who was born the same year the Thirlmere Roosters club formed, has spent the best part of the last two decades coaching and playing bush footy across NSW and Queensland.

Jason Ferris in action.

He told NewsLocal he was lucky to be given an opportunity to coach such a strong club in a competition which has strengthened by the year.

“There is no rebuild (for the Thirlmere Roosters),” he said. “I think it's fair to say we will be the fittest side in the comp, that's my goal, and I want to have the closest side of the competition, on and off the field.

“We know Thirlmere are going to be targeted because Thirlmere have been on top for so long.”

The Spring Farm resident was signed to coach Mittagong Lions for the 2020 season, but had to quit after being suspended by NSW Rugby League for an incident when playing for the Cromer Kingfishers.

Jason Ferris in action for the Cronulla Sharks.

Despite being warned against it, Ferris travelled to Queensland to coach Oakey Bears in the competitive Toowoomba Rugby League competition this year and pocketed a wooden spoon for his troubles.

He described the past season as a “real eye-opener” and says he has reflected on his coaching style and will look to reinvent himself with the Roosters.

Thirlmere Roosters vice president Jason Kelly said he was looking for a coach, not a player, and was looking forward to Ferris guiding the club’s young playmakers.

“We’ve already got the players,” he said. “We’ve got a lot of young, local kids and really to find someone with Ferris’ experience and knowledge to come in and mentor the players is sensational,” he said.

The club will begin pre-season in December.